Eid travel rush to send UAE airfares soaring 40% to 50% —How to cut costs on flights
Eid Al Fitr break is coinciding with the two-week spring in UAE this year
Dubai: With Eid Al Fitr aligning with the two-week spring break in 2025, UAE travel agents are anticipating a significant surge in airfare prices. Industry experts predict that fares could rise 40 to 50 per cent compared to current rates, driven by demand for international travel.
By mid-March, popular routes to holiday destinations are expected to see sharp price increases. Return airfares will also shoot up closer to Eid as agents are expecting a huge influx of tourists to the UAE during the break this year.
While UAE-based, regional, and international carriers are adding additional flights to accommodate the surge, travellers are advised to book early and take advantage of the bumper deals on airfares rolled out by budget and full-service carriers.
Rikant Pittie, CEO & Co-founder of EaseMyTrip, said, “We anticipate that ticket prices to sought-after destinations could increase by 20-30 per cent early next month. Flights to the UK have already seen a 23.8 per cent hike, while fares to Germany have surged by 60.4 per cent compared to last year,” Pittie added.
Eid Al Fitr may fall on March 31 and schools in the UAE close for the spring break on March 18.
Airfares to popular spots
To South East Asian countries, where UAE residents enjoy visa-free travel, airfares are in the Dh2,000 to Dh6,700 range. Dubai- Singapore flights, for travel from March 18 to April 1 cost Dh2,580 on Emirates. Dubai – Tokyo prices are Dh6,730.
Super-popular Dubai-London flight are being sold for Dh3,850 – over 20 per cent higher than last month. Most European destinations are in the Dh1,719 (Berlin) to Dh3000 (Rome) range. Paris flights cost Dh2,970 and flights to Barcelona cost Dh3,140. Flights to North America are in the Dh3,490 (New York) to Dh5,260 (Los Angeles) range.
According to agents, the prices on all these fares are expected to rise over 40-50 per cent after mid-April.
Where are people travelling to?
Pittie said the alignment of Eid with school vacations is fueling a wave of extended family holidays. “Our data shows a 65 per cent surge in overall bookings compared to the previous Eid period, with 78 per cent of travellers opting for international destinations,” he said. Emirates Group-owned dnata has revealed that 90 per cent of UAE travellers are choosing international trips this year.
Popular travel hotspots such as Spain, Mauritius, France, and Sri Lanka are seeing great interest, while emerging destinations like Vietnam, Japan, Italy, and Switzerland are witnessing notable year-on-year growth in demand.
Social media dictates trips
Afi Ahmed, Chairman of Smart Travels and airline start-up Air Kerala, said that the travel rush will pick up momentum in mid-March, halfway through Ramadan. “Social media plays a key role—when one family travels, others are motivated to follow, boosting last-minute bookings,” he said. Ahmed added, “We have been told that are airlines are scaling up capacity in anticipation of an extended holiday season.”
Inbound travel to Dubai is also expected to peak during this period. “Many expatriates are bringing their families over for Eid, leading to high demand for tourist visas, particularly from India. Bachelors working in the UAE are also seizing the opportunity to reunite with their families. Those planning last-minute trips will have to pay significantly more,” according to Rashid Abbas, Managing Director of Arooha Travels.
He also said that group bookings have already begun. “March 29 onwards may mark the start of the Eid holidays, and many travellers are planning to depart that day. Airlines have assured us of additional flights, which will give travelers more options. However, fares will rise as we get closer to Eid, so booking early is essential,” he explained.
How to save on flights?
Book early: Airfares generally increase as the departure date nears. Try booking your flight at least 2-3 months in advance for better rates. Also, keep an eye on airline holiday packages and flash deals closer to the break.
Set price alerts: Use apps or websites like Hopper, Skyscanner, or Kayak to set price alerts for specific routes.
Consider alternative airports: If you're flying to a major city, check if there are nearby alternative airports. For example, flying into Gatwick instead of Heathrow may offer cheaper options.
Use airline miles or points: If you have frequent flyer miles or credit card points, redeem them to reduce the cost of your flight. Many airlines also have credit cards that offer miles for each purchase.
Book connecting flights: Non-stop flights are often more expensive than those with layovers. If you don't mind longer travel times, consider booking a flight with one or more layovers to save on costs.
Clear browser cache: Some websites track your searches and may increase prices for flights that you have searched multiple times. Clear your browser cache or use incognito mode to avoid this.
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